Wildcats unable to close out a nail-biter against the Warhawks; coach blames inability to capitalize turnovers.
Landon Penn
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Northwest Vista Lady Wildcats lost to the Lackland Air Force Base Lady Warhawks in a riveting game 57-54 Oct. 29 in Huisache Hall.
Both teams relied on strategic passing in the first half to set up shots in the paint, never shooting more than twice from beyond the 3-point line.
Although the Wildcats went on a 6-4 run, they were still unable to break away from the relentless defense of the Warhawks.
Warhawks point guard Courtnie Williams paved the way for the team with 7 points and two rebounds in the first half.
Williams closed the game with 16 points and four rebounds.
“My teammates allowed me to get open and did a great job of setting screens for me,” she said.
Williams and the Warhawks capitalized on their 32-28 lead at the half.
Wildcats education sophomore Emily Castor led the team with 16 points, pulling down 11 rebounds.
“I just played with a sense of purpose tonight,” Castor said.
Despite being out-rebounded, the Warhawks scored 16 of 28 Wildcat turnovers; Vista managed to score less than 10 percent of turnovers.
In the last two minutes of the game, the Warhawks’ offense rallied a 7-2 run to close the game.
With 14 seconds remaining, Williams sunk a free throw to give the Warhawks a 3-point lead. Vista was unable to make a 3-point shot to tie the game.
Wildcats coach Daniel Johnson said the lack of defense is what cost his team the game.
“You can’t win a basketball game turning the ball over like that, but we will use practice to fix the mistakes that we made tonight,” Johnson said.
“We didn’t play our best tonight, but we got a win and that’s what matters,” Warhawks coach Michelle Ivey said.
The Lady Wildcats will play St. Edwards University’s Lady Hilltoppers 1 p.m. Nov. 1 at St. Edwards in Austin.
